Single piece, redundant, bi-directional, seal damage prevention pressure seal

ABSTRACT

An example seal for use with a laminated window is described. The seal includes a first end formed from a first material and a second end formed from the first material, with the first material being compressible when a pressure force is applied to the first material. The seal also includes a connection portion positioned between the first end and the second end. At least some of the connection portion is formed from a second material having a greater indentation hardness than an indentation hardness of the first material. An example method for installing a seal is also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/397,671, filed Jan. 3, 2017, entitled “SINGLE PIECEREDUNDANT, BI-DIRECTIONAL, SEAL DAMAGE PREVENTION PRESSURE SEAL,” theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under NNK14MA75C awardedby NASA. The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to mechanical seals, and moreparticularly, to seals for windows of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A window on a vehicle may include one or more seals that are positionedbetween the window and a frame of the vehicle. The seals may be designedto prevent air or liquid from passing between the window and the frame.By way of example, a vehicle may include a frame having a channel thatis configured to hold a window. In order to seal at least one knownwindow, a first seal (e.g., a mechanical gasket or other type of seal)is positioned between an inner surface of the window and the frame and,similarly, a second seal is positioned between an outer surface of thewindow and the frame.

When a vehicle operates in a pressurized environment, the effectivenessof such seals may depend upon the ability of the seals to preventleakage while under compression. For instance, on a spacecraft, positivepressure within a cabin of the spacecraft that is greater than thepressure in the spacecraft's environment pushes a window outwardsagainst a frame of the vehicle and, in turn, compresses a sealpositioned between an outer surface of the window and the frame. If theseal is unable to withstand the compression, leakage may occur betweenthe window and the frame. In other examples, positive pressure in avehicle's environment that is greater than the pressure within thevehicle pushes a window inwards against a frame of the vehicle, and inturn, compresses a seal positioned between an inner surface of thewindow and the frame.

SUMMARY

In one example, a seal for use with a laminated window is described. Theseal includes a first end formed from a first material and a second endformed from the first material, with the first material beingcompressible when a pressure force is applied to the first material. Theseal also includes a connection portion positioned between the first endand the second end. At least some of the connection portion is formedfrom a second material having a greater indentation hardness than anindentation hardness of the first material.

In another example, a window system is described. The window systemincludes a frame having a first leg and a second leg, with the first legand the second leg defining a channel therebetween. The window systemalso includes a laminated window having an edge portion positioned inthe channel. In addition, the window system includes a seal positionedbetween the edge portion of the laminated window and the channel. Theseal includes a first end formed from a first material and a second endformed from the first material, with the first material beingcompressible when a pressure force is applied to the first material. Theseal also includes a connection portion positioned between the first endand the second end. At least some of the connection portion is formedfrom a second material having a greater indentation hardness than anindentation hardness of the first material.

In still another example, a method for installing a seal for a laminatedwindow is described. The seal includes a first end formed from a firstmaterial, a second end formed from the first material, and a connectionportion positioned between the first end and the second end. At leastsome of the connection portion is formed from a second material having agreater indentation hardness than an indentation hardness of the firstmaterial. The method includes positioning the seal around an edgeportion of the laminated window such that the first end abuts an innersurface of the laminated window and the second end abuts an outersurface of the laminated window. The method also includes, afterpositioning the seal around the edge portion of the window, securing thelaminated window within a channel of a frame.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yetother examples further details of which can be seen with reference tothe following description and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative examplesare set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative examples,however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives anddescriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative example of the presentdisclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an example seal, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the example seal ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an example windowsystem, including the example seal of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates another partial cross-sectional view of the examplewindow system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of another seal,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example method, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of another example method for use with themethod shown in FIG. 6, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying figures, in which some, but not all of thedisclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may beprovided and should not be construed as limited to the examples setforth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scopeof the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Described herein are seals for windows of a vehicle as well as methodsfor installing seals for windows of a vehicle. One example seal includesa first end and a second end that are each formed from a first material,as well as a connection portion that is positioned between the first endand the second end. The seal may be configured to be wrapped around aperimeter of a window, with the first end being positioned againsteither the inner or outer surface of the window, and the second endpositioned against the opposite surface of the window.

As described further below, at least some of the connection portion isformed from a second material having an indentation hardness that isharder than an indentation hardness of the first material.Advantageously, with this configuration, the connection portion canprevent or limit the first end and/or the second end from beingover-compressed when a pressure force is applied to the window. Limitingthe compression of the first end and/or the second end can help tomaintain sealing functionality on the inner surface and the outersurface of the window. For instance, the first and second ends of theseal may be positioned against the outer and inner surfaces of a window,respectively, and a pressure force may be applied to the inner surfaceof the window. The connection portion may be configured such that thepressure force cannot compress the first end of the seal to such anextent that the first end of the seal is damaged or the second end ofthe seal disengages from the inner surface of the window. The sealsdescribed herein may also be configured to maintain sealingfunctionality under relaxed conditions (e.g., when the atmosphericpressure on each side of the window is about the same).

In some examples, the seals described herein may be manufactured assingle-piece seals that are formed by co-processing two differentrubbers. For instance, a first end and a second end of a seal may bemolded from a first rubber, and the first and second ends may becombined or joined to a second rubber that is harder than the firstrubber. Co-processing the two different rubbers may yield a seal that isstronger and has less potential points of failure than a seal that isformed by, for example, gluing different pieces of rubber together.

Further, as single-piece seals, the seals described herein are easier toinstall than multi-piece seals, which may have multiple gaskets (e.g.O-rings) that are configured to be positioned within grooves in a frameof a vehicle. For instance, during installation, a seal that ismanufactured in accordance with the present disclosure may be wrappedaround a perimeter of a window, and then the seal and the window may beinstalled into a frame of a vehicle as a single unit, without having toglue or otherwise fasten the seal to the window or the frame and withouthaving to position individual gaskets within grooves in the frame of thevehicle. Since the seals described herein adhere to windows without anyrestraining mechanism, the seals also eliminate the need to machine orotherwise create grooves within frames of vehicles for holding the sealsin place.

Various other features of the seals and methods for installing the sealsare also described hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingfigures.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example seal 100 for a window isillustrated. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates the seal 100 as having atrapezoidal-shape and being configured to be positioned around theperimeter of a trapezoidal window. In practice, the shape of the sealmay vary depending on the shape of the window for which the seal isdesigned. For instance, for a circular window, the seal may have acircular shape. Thus, the example is not meant to be limiting. Further,as shown in FIG. 1, the seal 100 is a single-piece seal.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the seal 100, shownalong line A of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the seal 100 includes afirst end 102 and a second end 104, with a connection portion 106extending between the first end 102 and the second end 104.

In line with the discussion above, the first end 102 and the second end104 are formed of a first material, and at least some of the connectionportion 106 is formed of a second material having a greater indentationhardness than the first material. Although FIG. 2 illustrates all of theconnection portion 106 as being formed from the second material, theexample is not meant to be limiting. In other examples, only a portionof the connection portion 106 may be formed from the second material,with the remainder of the connection portion 106 being formed from thefirst material.

In one example, the first material may be a first rubber and the secondmaterial may be a second rubber having a greater indentation hardnessthan the first rubber. For instance, the first rubber may have a Shorehardness of about 50-60 A, and the second rubber may have a Shorehardness of about 80 A. As another example, the first rubber may have aShore hardness between 30-70 A, and the second rubber may have a Shorehardness that is greater than 70 A (e.g., 70-100 A). As still anotherexample, the first rubber may have a Shore hardness of about 40 A, andthe second rubber may have a Shore hardness of about 85 A. Manyvariances exist, depending on the type of rubber used. In addition, theindentation hardnesses of the first material and the second material mayvary depending on the pressure forces that a window for which the sealis designed is expected to incur. For instance, the indentationhardnesses of the first material and the second material may varydepending on the pressure forces that are expected for an environment ofa vehicle in which the window is configured to be installed.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the first end 102 includes a first seal bead108 and a first transition portion 110 connecting the first seal bead108 to the connection portion 106. Similarly, the second end 104includes a second seal bead 112 and a second transition portion 114connecting the second seal bead 112 to the connection portion 106.

The first seal bead 108 and the second seal bead 112 may be made of thefirst material discussed above. For instance, the first seal bead 108and the second seal bead 112 may be made of the first rubber. As such,the first seal bead 108 and the second seal bead 112 may have the sameindentation hardness. Alternatively, in another example, the first sealbead 108 and the second seal bead 112 may be made of two differentmaterials having two different indentation hardnesses, with the twoindentation hardnesses being less than an indentation hardnesses of thesecond material discussed above from which at least some of theconnection portion 106 is formed.

The first seal bead 108 and the second seal bead 112 each have acircular-shaped cross-section. Further, the first transition portion 110has a thickness T1 that is small than a diameter D1 of the first sealbead 108, and the second transition portion 112 has a thickness T2 thatis smaller than a diameter of the second seal bead 112.

In one example, the diameter D1 of the first seal bead 108 may be thesame as the diameter D2 of the second seal bead 112. Alternatively, inother examples, the diameter D1 of the first seal bead 108 may bedifferent from (e.g., larger or smaller than) the diameter D2 of thesecond seal bead 112. For instance, if an inner surface of a window isexpected to experience larger pressure forces than an outer surface ofthe window, the seal bead that is configured to abut the inner surfacemay have a larger diameter than the other seal bead. This configurationmay allow the seal bead that is configured to abut the inner surface tomaintain sealing functionality between the inner surface and a framewhen the inner surface of the window is pressed outwards. Likewise, ifan outer surface of a window is expected to experience larger pressureforces than an inner surface of the window, the seal bead that isconfigured to abut the outer surface may have a larger diameter than theother seal bead.

Further, the connection portion 106 includes a first corner 116 and asecond corner 118. In one example, the first corner 116 may beconfigured to abut an inner edge portion of a window, and the secondcorner 118 may be configured to abut an outer edge portion of thewindow. Alternatively, in other example, the first corner 116 may beconfigured to abut an outer edge portion of a window, and the secondcorner 118 may be configured to abut an inner edge portion of thewindow.

The first corner 116 includes a first section 120 that is connected tothe first end 102, and the second corner 118 includes a second section122 that is connected to the second end 104. The first section 120 has athickness T3 and the second section 122 has a thickness T4. As shown inFIG. 2, the thickness T3 is smaller than the diameter D1 of the firstseal bead 108, and the thickness T4 is smaller than the diameter D2 ofthe second seal bead 112. This arrangement enables the seal 100 tomaintain sealing functionality in relaxed conditions (e.g., when theatmospheric pressure on each side of the window is about the same).

The thickness T4 of the second section 122 may be sized to limitcompression of the second seal bead 112 to between about 20% to about30%. For instance, the thickness T4 of the second section 122 may beabout 70% to about 80% of the diameter D2. In one example, after thesecond seal bead 112 is compressed such that the diameter D2 is reducedby 20-30%, the thickness T4 of the second section 122 may prevent orlimit further compression of the second seal bead 112. With thisarrangement, the thickness T4 of the second section 122 may allow thesecond seal bead 112 to be compressed to some extent (e.g., 0-20%) toprovide a sufficient seal. Additionally, with this arrangement, thethickness T4 of the second section 122 may prevent the second seal bead112 from compressing to a point where the second seal bead 112 is atrisk of being permanently deformed.

Similarly, the thickness T3 of the first section 120 may be sized tolimit compression of the first seal bead 108 to between about 20% toabout 30% when a pressure force is applied.

In one example, the thickness T3 of the first section 120 may be thesame as the thickness T4 of the second section 122. Such an arrangementmay be appropriate if the seal 100 is designed to seal a window that isexpected to experience roughly the same amount of pressure forces oneach side of the window. Alternatively, in other examples, thickness T3of the first section 120 may be different from (e.g., larger or smallerthan) the thickness T4 of the second section 122. For instance, if aninner surface of a window is expected to experience larger pressureforces than an outer surface of the window, the thickness of the sectionthat is configured to abut the outer surface of the window may be largerthan the thickness of the other section, such that the thicker sectionprevents over-compression of the seal bead that is configured to abutthe outer surface of the window. Likewise, if an outer surface of awindow is expected to experience larger pressure forces than an innersurface of the window, the section that is configured to abut the innersurface of the window may have a larger thickness than the othersection.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an example windowsystem 300 in which the seal 100 is installed. And FIG. 4 illustrates adifferent partial cross-sectional view of the example window system 300of FIG. 3. The window system 300 may be a window system for a vehicle(not shown), such as a window system for a spacecraft for example.Alternatively, the window system 300 may be a window system for anothertype of aerial vehicle, or a window system for a marine or terrestrialvehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the window system 300 includes a frame 302that is configured to hold a window 304. The frame 302 includes a firstleg 306 and a second leg 308, with the first leg 306 and the second leg308 defining a channel 309 therebetween. The window 304 may be any typeof window, such as a laminated window for example. The window 304includes an inner surface 310, an outer surface 312, and a side surface314. The inner surface 310 is exposed to an interior of a vehicle, andthe outer surface 312 is exposed to an exterior of a vehicle. The sidesurface 314 connects the inner surface 310 and the outer surface 312.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an edge portion 316 of the window 304 ispositioned within the channel. The edge portion 316 includes an inneredge portion 318 and an outer edge portion 320. The inner edge portion318 includes part of the inner surface 310 and part of the side surface314. The outer edge portion 320 includes part of the outer surface 312and part of the side surface 314.

As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seal 100 is positioned in aninner gap 322 defined between the inner surface 310 and the first leg306 and in an outer gap 324 defined between the outer surface 312 andthe second leg 308. With such an arrangement, the first corner 116 ofthe seal 100 abuts the inner edge portion 318 of the window 304, and thesecond corner 118 of the connection portion 106 abuts the outer edgeportion 320 of the window 304.

In line with the discussion above, the seal 100 is configured tomaintain sealing functionality between the frame 302 and the window 304.More specifically, the seal 100 is configured to maintain sealingfunctionality on the inner surface 310 and the outer surface 312 of thewindow 304, when a pressure force is not applied to either one of theinner surface 310 and the outer surface 312 and when a pressure force isapplied to either one of the inner surface 310 and the outer surface312.

For instance, when the first leg 306 and the second leg 308 are securedtogether, the first seal bead 108 may be compressed between the firstleg 306 and the inner surface 310, and the second seal bead 112 may becompressed between the second leg 308 and the outer surface 312. Suchcompression of the first seal bead 108 and the second seal bead 112provides a seal between the first leg 306 and the inner surface 310 aswell as between the second leg 308 and the outer surface 312.

Further, when a pressure force is applied to the inner surface 310, thethickness of the second corner 118 of the seal 100 may limitover-compression of the second seal bead 112. Limiting over-compressionof the second seal bead 112 may help to prevent the second seal bead 112from being permanently deformed due to over-compression, for example.Limiting over-compression of the second seal bead 112 may also limitmovement of the window 304 outwards (i.e. to the left in FIG. 3) suchthat the first seal bead 108 does not disengage from the from the firstleg 306 or the inner surface 310, for example. Similarly, when apressure force is applied to the outer surface 312, the thickness of thefirst corner 116 of the seal 100 may limit over-compression of the firstseal bead 108 and/or movement of the window 304 inwards (i.e. to theright in FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of another seal 500.Like the example seal 100 of FIGS. 1-4, the seal 500 includes a firstend 502 and a second end 504, with a connection portion 506 extendingbetween the first end 502 and the second end 504. In line with thediscussion above, the first end 502 and the second end 504 may be formedof a first material. However, unlike the seal 100 of FIGS. 1-4, only aportion of the connection portion 506 is formed from a second materialhaving an indentation hardness that is greater than in indentationhardness of the first material.

Specifically, with reference to FIG. 5, a first portion 508 of theconnection portion 506 that is connected to the first end 502 may beformed of the first material, while a second portion 510 of theconnection portion extending between the first portion 508 and thesecond end 504 may be formed of the second material. The first portion508 includes a first corner 512 that is configured to abut a first edgeportion of a window. And the second portion 510 includes a second corner514 that is configured to abut a second edge portion of a window. Forinstance, in one example, the first corner 512 may be configured to abutan inner edge portion of a window, and the second corner 514 may beconfigured to abut an outer edge portion of the window. Alternatively,in other example, the first corner 512 may be configured to abut anouter edge portion of a window, and the second corner 514 may beconfigured to abut an inner edge portion of the window. Thus, dependingon an example application, a length of the second portion 510 maycomprise less than half a length of the seal 500 as shown in FIG. 5. Theseal 100 in the window system 300 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) can bereplaced with the seal 500, depending on the application of the windowsystem 300. When the seal 500 is used with the window system 300, theseal 500 functions similarly to the seal 100.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example method 600 for installing a seal,such as the seal 100 (shown in FIGS. 1-4) or the seal 500 (shown in FIG.5), for a laminated window, such as the window 304 (shown in FIGS. 3 and4). Method 600 shown in FIG. 6 presents an embodiment of a method that,for example, could be carried out by an operator and/or a roboticdevice. For instance, the method could be carried out while assemblingor repairing a vehicle. Further, the seal that is installed could be anyof the seals 100 and/or 500 described herein. For instance, the sealincludes a first end formed from a first material, a second end formedfrom the first material, and a connection portion positioned between thefirst end and the second end, with at least some of the connectionportion being formed from a second material having a greater indentationhardness than an indentation hardness of the first material.

It should be understood that for this and other processes and methodsdisclosed herein, flowcharts show functionality and operation of onepossible implementation of present embodiments. Alternativeimplementations are included within the scope of the example embodimentsof the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out oforder from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrentor in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as wouldbe understood by those reasonably skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, at block 602, the method 600 includespositioning the seal 100, 500 around an edge portion 316 of the window304 such that the first end 102, 502 abuts an inner surface 310 of thelaminated window 304 and the second end 104, 504 abuts an outer surface312 of the laminated window 304. And at block 604, the method 600includes, after positioning the seal 100, 500 around the edge portion316 of the laminated window 304, securing the laminated window 304within a channel 309 of a frame 302.

In line with the discussion above, the seal 100, 500 may include a firstcorner that is configured to abut an inner edge portion of the laminatedwindow and a second corner that is configured to abut an outer edgeportion of the laminated window. Accordingly, positioning the seal 100,500 around the edge portion of the window may involve positioning theseal such that the first corner abuts the inner edge portion of thelaminated window and the second corner abuts the outer edge portion ofthe laminated window.

In one example, positioning the seal 100, 500 around the edge portion ofthe window may involve fitting part of the seal around part of aperimeter of the laminated window, and then temporarily stretchinganother part of the seal in order to fit the rest of the seal around theperimeter of the window. In some examples, the first material and thesecond material may be at least partially resilient, such that once theseal is positioned around the edge portion of the laminated window, theseal adheres to the laminated window without use of any type of adhesiveor restraining mechanism.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of another example method for use with themethod 600 shown in FIG. 6. In particular, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart ofan example method that can be carried out for a seal, such as the seal100 (shown in FIGS. 1-4) or the seal 500 (shown in FIG. 5), having aconnection portion with a particular corner that is configured to abutan outer edge portion of the laminated window.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, at block 702, FIG. 7 includes identifying aparticular corner 118, 514 of the connection portion 106, 506 that isconfigured to abut an outer edge portion 320 of the laminated window304. And at block 704, FIG. 7 includes positioning the seal 100, 500around the edge portion 316 of the laminated window such that theparticular corner 118, 514 abuts the outer edge portion 320 of thelaminated window 304.

In one example, identifying the particular corner 118, 514 may involveidentifying a distinctive marking on the particular corner of the seal,such as a distinctive color or a distinctive label. In another example,identifying the particular corner 118, 514 may involve identifying athickest corner of two corners of the connection portion, or identifyinga thinnest corner of the two corners of the connection portion. Further,in another example, identifying the particular corner 118, 514 mayinvolve identifying a seal bead having a largest (or smallest) diameterand then identifying the corner closest to the seal bead having thelargest (or smallest) diameter.

The description of the different advantageous arrangements has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the examples in the formdisclosed. After reviewing and understanding the foregoing disclosure,many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Further, different examples may provide differentadvantages as compared to other examples. The example or examplesselected are chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various examples withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seal for use with a window, the sealcomprising: a first end, comprising a first seal bead; a second end,comprising a second seal bead; and a connection portion, joining thefirst end and the second end and comprising: a first corner, comprisinga first section; a second corner, comprising a second section; and acenter portion, positioned between the first corner and the secondcorner; and wherein: the first section has a thickness that is smallerthan a diameter of the first seal bead; the first section is connectedto the first end; the second section has a thickness that is smallerthan a diameter of the second seal bead; the second section is connectedto the second end; the second end is formed from a first material thatis compressible when a pressure force is applied and that has a firstindentation hardness; the second corner is formed from a second materialand joined to the second end; and the second material has a secondindentation hardness that is greater than the first indentationhardness.
 2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the first corner is configuredto abut an inner edge portion of the window and the second corner isconfigured to abut an outer edge portion of the window.
 3. The seal ofclaim 2, wherein the first section is parallel to the second section. 4.The seal of claim 3, wherein the first section and the second sectionare orthogonal to the center portion.
 5. The seal of claim 2, whereinthe seal is configured to be wrapped around an entire perimeter of thewindow.
 6. The seal of claim 1, wherein the first corner is formed fromthe second material.
 7. The seal of claim 6, wherein the first end isformed from the first material.
 8. The seal of claim 7, wherein: thefirst material is a first rubber; the second material is a secondrubber; and the seal is a single-piece seal formed by co-processing thefirst rubber and the second rubber.
 9. The seal of claim 6, wherein thefirst end is formed from a third material having an indentation hardnessthat is different from the first indentation hardness and that is lessthan the second indentation hardness.
 10. The seal of claim 1, whereinthe diameter of the first seal bead is different from the diameter ofthe second seal bead.
 11. The seal of claim 1, wherein the thickness ofthe first section is different from the thickness of the second section.12. The seal of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first section andthe thickness of the second section limit compression of the first sealbead and the second seal bead, respectively, to between about 20% toabout 30% when the pressure force is applied.
 13. The seal of claim 1,wherein the second material has a hardness of about Shore 80 A.
 14. Amethod of installing a seal around a window, wherein: the seal comprisesa first end, comprising a first seal bead, a second end comprising asecond seal bead, and a connection portion, joining the first end andthe second end and comprising: a first corner, comprising a firstsection; a second corner, comprising a second section; and a centerportion, positioned between the first corner and the second corner; thefirst section has a thickness that is smaller than a diameter of thefirst seal bead; the first section is connected to the first end; thesecond section has a thickness that is smaller than a diameter of thesecond seal bead; the second section is connected to the second end; thesecond end is formed from a first material that is compressible when apressure force is applied and that has a first indentation hardness; thesecond corner is formed from a second material and is joined to thesecond end; and the second material has a second indentation hardnessthat is greater than the first indentation hardness, the methodcomprising steps of: positioning the seal around an edge portion of thewindow such that the first end abuts an inner surface of the window andthe second end abuts an outer surface of the window, and afterpositioning the seal around the edge portion of the window, securing thewindow within a channel of a frame.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein:the second corner of the connection portion of the seal is configured toabut an outer edge portion of the window.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein: the second corner of the connection portion of the sealcomprises a distinctive color that differentiates the second corner fromthe first corner; and the step of positioning the seal around the edgeportion of the window comprises positioning the seal around the edgeportion of the window such that the second corner of the connectionportion of the seal, comprising the distinctive color, abuts the outeredge portion of the window.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein: thefirst corner of the connection portion of the seal has a first-cornerthickness; the second corner of the connection portion of the seal has asecond-corner thickness that is different from the first-cornerthickness; and the step of positioning the seal around the edge portionof the window comprises positioning the seal around the edge portion ofthe window such that the second corner of the connection portion of theseal, having the second-corner thickness, abuts the outer edge portionof the window.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the diameter of thefirst seal bead is different from the diameter of the second seal bead;and the step of positioning the seal around the edge portion of thewindow comprises positioning the seal around the edge portion of thewindow such that the second corner of the connection portion of the sealabuts the outer edge portion of the window.
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein the first section is parallel to the second section.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the first section and the second section areorthogonal to the center portion.